The Illinois Olympic Development Program or ODP is the start of the IDENTIFICATION process for the National and Olympic Teams. The Illinois Youth Soccer Association conducts the program for US Soccer under the jurisdiction of the US Olympic Committee. The ODP is protected by the Amateur Sports Act, a federal law enacted by Congress in 1978. The purpose of this prestigious program is to IDENTIFY players on the basis of open tryouts and DEVELOP them to the best of their ability for an opportunity to be selected to represent their state, region, and the United States in soccer competition. ODP teams are formed at each of the 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations.

Who can participate in ODP?

Any age eligible soccer player can participate in the open ODP registration process. However, ODP is for the serious soccer player who has hopes of playing in college and beyond. Participation in ODP does not replace club play or disqualify a player from playing with his/her Club or High School team.

Illinois ODP staff coaches are experienced selected professionals who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills and challenge them to play at their highest potential. Illinois ODP Staff consists of College Coaches, Club Directors of Coaching, Club Coaches, High School Coaches, and renowned GUEST coaches. All Coaches have quality credentials with the majority having US Soccer Federation ‘A’ or ‘B’ licenses.

In addition to our top-level staff coaches, Illinois ODP players have taken part in special training sessions over the years lead by the following Guest Coaches:

US National Staff Coaches

Manchester United Academy Coaches

Chicago Fire Staff Coaches

Chicago Red Stars Staff Coaches and Players

Everton FC Youth Academy Director, Tony “Tosh” Farrell

Everton FC Youth Academy Development Officer, Robbie Anderson

Derby County Academy Coaching Manager & Wigan Athletic First Team Coach, David Lowe

The ODP process starts with 8 Indoor Sessions on four days between November and April. It is at the Indoor Sessions that players learn what it takes to become an ODP player and to compete against other quality players under the guidance of the ODP staff and renowned GUEST coaches. From these trainings some players will be invited to participate in Interstate Friendlies. More importantly, it is during these trainings that the ODP coaches will identify players for participation in the 1-day State Combine. After the completion of the Indoor Sessions, those players who are not selected to the Combine will be released and receive a written evaluation.

Interstate Friendlies

In addition to the Indoor Sessions, IYSA will organize Friendlies with other states’ ODP teams. The purpose of the Friendlies is to further evaluate certain players in a game environment against other states’ players. Not every player or age group will be invited to participate in an Interstate Friendly. Teams may travel to other states depending on facility availability. There is an additional fee for the Friendlies. Players will need to provide their own transportation and arrange hotel accommodations should the game schedule require an overnight stay.

Illinois ODP State Combine

The State Combine is the final ODP event under the jurisdiction of the Illinois ODP. Those players who participate in the 1-day State Combine in June are considered the Illinois ODP State Pool. At this event, Illinois ODP coaches will evaluate the players and identify the Illinois ODP State Team, Alternate or Composite players. The player’s status will be emailed after the Combine. The status would be one of the following:

Illinois State Team Player will represent Illinois at the regional camp.

Alternate will be placed on a waiting list to replace an Illinois State Team Player who becomes unavailable to participate in the regional camp/tournament.

Composite Player will participate with another state’s ODP team and be listed as an Illinois State Team Player.

US Youth Soccer Region II ODP Camp

The US Youth Soccer Regional Camp is under the jurisdiction of US Youth Soccer Region II not Illinois Youth Soccer. Region II runs the camp, selects the coaching staff and identifies the Regional Pool players from competitions among the 14 State Association ODP teams. The regional camps are overnight camps that take place in July and last between 2-4 nights depending on the age group. The Illinois coaches accompany, support and coach their team under the supervision of Region II. The older age group teams compete in a tournament style camp. This year the regional camps and tournament are in Illinois.

In certain age groups, US Youth Soccer Regional Staff will select players from the 14 state associations to remain in camp to further evaluate players for selection to regional and international events.

As an organization we want to get the best players into our program. If cost is a concern we have some options that may help. There is a Financial Aid Application that may qualify an eligible player for a partial or complete scholarship. This Application which is forwarded to an outside accounting firm for consideration must be submitted prior to start of the Indoor Sessions. Players who do not qualify for an ODP scholarship can obtain a donation letter.

Any player that attends the State Combine must be prepared to attend the Regional Camp/Tournament if selected. Regional Camp payments are not processed before the State Combine. The regional payment will be processed once the player is selected to attend the Regional Camp/Tournament. It also ensures that all participants know the financial commitment that is required for the Regional Camp/Tournament.

There is no penalty for missing a session but commitment to the ODP is a consideration. Additionally, the coaching staff needs to see you play and it may improve your chances of getting invited to additional events. KEEP IN MIND THAT EACH SESSION IS A TRYOUT.

Since there are no discounts or refunds for missed sessions, a player may attend a make-up session at one of the other ODP locations in Central, South or North.

PLAYERS MAY NOT ATTEND A MAKE-UP A SESSION WITH A DIFFERENT AGE GROUP! NO EXCEPTIONS!

No. Players must attend the Indoor Sessions to be selected to the State Combine with the exception of a currently listed US National Team pool player. All selected players must attend the State Combine to be invited to the Regional Camp.

Although the North location has a larger number of participants, the age group coaches are equally qualified and in communication with the Illinois Youth Soccer Director of Coaching and the other district coaches for their age group. Their sessions are supervised by the District Head ODP Coach and the Illinois Youth Soccer Director of Coaching